Method and apparatus of providing pattern based user password access

ABSTRACT

The Pattern Based Password Tool provides a user with a unique, single-use password that is hard to steal, but easy for the user to remember. The Pattern Based Password Tool assigns a password to a user, wherein the password specifies a spatial position of at least one element of a plurality of elements on a matrix. The Pattern Based Password Tool populates the plurality of elements on the matrix with randomly generated characters. After reading a password entry, the Pattern Based Password Tool verifies that the password entry is a correct combination of the characters from the plurality of elements on the matrix that correspond to the spatial position of the at least one element as specified by the password.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to the field of information security and relates specifically to pattern based user passwords.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bank customers using an automated teller machine (ATM) generally enter a four-digit numerical personal identification number (PIN), hereafter called a password, to access their bank account or conduct banking transactions. Banks assign the password to the customer when an account is opened. The password might never change for as long as the customer owns the account. A short numerical password is easy for the customer to remember, but is also easy to steal. Thieves can steal the customer's password by watching as the customer enters the password. Thieves can then use the stolen password to gain unauthorized access to the customer's bank account.

One solution to prevent theft of a password is to assign single-use passwords that expire after being used once. If a thief observes a customer using a singe-use password, the stolen single-use password is useless for accessing the customer's bank account, because the single-use password expires after being used by the customer. Assigning single-use passwords presents logistical and practical challenges. The bank needs an efficient method of distributing the single-use password. The customer needs a way to remember the single-use password. The method of distribution and the way of remembering needs to be secure, to preserve the secrecy of the single-use password.

One known method of assigning single-use passwords is to use a rotating code on compact electronic display device. The rotating code corresponds to a rotating code on the bank's computer system, such that the rotating code on the compact electronic display matches the rotating code on the bank's computer system. A problem with this method is that if the compact electronic display is lost the customer cannot access the account. If the compact electronic device is stolen, the customer cannot access the account, but the thief can. A need exists for a way to provide a customer, or any user of computerized passwords, with a unique, single-use password that is hard to steal, but easy for the customer to remember.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Pattern Based Password Tool provides a user with a unique, single-use password that is hard to steal, but easy for the user to remember. The Pattern Based Password Tool assigns a password to a user, wherein the password specifies a spatial position of at least one element of a plurality of elements on a matrix. The Pattern Based Password Tool populates the plurality of elements on the matrix with randomly generated characters. After reading a password entry, the Pattern Based Password Tool verifies that the password entry is a correct combination of the characters from the plurality of elements on the matrix that correspond to the spatial position of the at least one element as specified by the password. Because the matrix is repopulated with randomly generated characters every time the user accesses the account, the user enters a different password entry every time the user accesses the account. A thief would not be able to determine the pattern and steal the pattern based password by casually observing the password entry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be understood best by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary computer network;

FIG. 2 describes files and programs in a memory on a computer;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a configuration component;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a password generation component;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a matrix generation component;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a password verification component;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary matrix; and

FIG. 8 shows a pattern-based password applied to an exemplary matrix.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The principles of the present invention are applicable to a variety of computer hardware and software configurations. The term “computer hardware” or “hardware,” as used herein, refers to any machine or apparatus that is capable of accepting, performing logic operations on, storing, or displaying data, and includes without limitation processors and memory. The term “computer software” or “software,” refers to any set of instructions operable to cause computer hardware to perform an operation. A “computer,” as that term is used herein, includes without limitation any useful combination of hardware and software, and a “computer program” or “program” includes without limitation any software operable to cause computer hardware to accept, perform logic operations on, store, or display data. A computer program may, and often is, comprised of a plurality of smaller programming units, including without limitation subroutines, modules, functions, methods, and procedures. Thus, the functions of the present invention may be distributed among a plurality of computers and computer programs. The invention is described best, though, as a single computer program that configures and enables one or more general-purpose computers to implement the novel aspects of the invention. For illustrative purposes, the inventive computer program will be referred to as the “Pattern Based Password Tool”

Additionally, the Pattern Based Password Tool is described below with reference to an exemplary network of hardware devices, as depicted in FIG. 1. A “network” comprises any number of hardware devices coupled to and in communication with each other through a communications medium, such as the Internet. A “communications medium” includes without limitation any physical, optical, electromagnetic, or other medium through which hardware or software can transmit data. For descriptive purposes, exemplary network 100 has only a limited number of nodes, including ATM 105, workstation computer 110, server computer 115, and persistent storage 120. Network connection 125 comprises all hardware, software, and communications media necessary to enable communication between network nodes 105-120. Unless otherwise indicated in context below, all network nodes use publicly available protocols or messaging services to communicate with each other through network connection 125.

Pattern Based Password Tool 200 typically is stored in a memory, represented schematically as memory 220 in FIG. 2. The term “memory,” as used herein, includes without limitation any volatile or persistent medium, such as an electrical circuit, magnetic disk, or optical disk, in which a computer can store data or software for any duration. A single memory may encompass and be distributed across a plurality of media. Further, Pattern Based Password Tool 200 may reside in more than one memory distributed across different computers, servers, logical partitions, or other hardware devices. The elements depicted in memory 220 may be located in or distributed across separate memories in any combination, and Pattern Based Password Tool 200 may be adapted to identify, locate and access any of the elements and coordinate actions, if any, by the distributed elements. Thus, FIG. 2 is included merely as a descriptive expedient and does not necessarily reflect any particular physical embodiment of memory 220. As depicted in FIG. 2, though, memory 220 may include additional data and programs. Of particular importance to Pattern Based Password Tool 200, memory 220 may include an existing program, password interface application 230, with which Pattern Based Password Tool 200 interacts. Password interface application 230 comprises of existing software infrastructure for operating a user password system, such as assigning and verifying user passwords for a network of ATMs. Pattern Based Password Tool 200 interacts with several data files, including: password criteria file 240, matrix criteria file 250, password database file 260, and matrix temporary file 270. Pattern Based Password Tool 200 is described as having four components, each component interfacing with or operating seamlessly with password interface application 230. The four components of Pattern Based Password Tool 200 are configuration component 300, password generation component 400, matrix generation component 500, and password verification component 600.

A flowchart of configuration component 300 is shown in FIG. 3. Configuration component 300 starts when initiated by a systems administrator or another person responsible for setting parameters for Pattern Based Password Tool 200 (310). Configuration component 300 displays prompts for items that can be changed by the systems administrator (312). For example, configuration component 300 may have radio buttons or drop down menus that allow the systems administrator to change settings for the items. Configuration component 300 determines if the systems administrator wants to change the matrix settings (314). Matrix settings may include the number of rows and columns used to make up the matrix, and a range of elements that make up the matrix, such as a numerical range. If the systems administrator wants to change the matrix settings, the systems administrator adjusts the matrix settings (316) and configuration component 300 saves the settings to matrix criteria file 250 (318). Configuration component 300 determines if the systems administrator wants to change the password settings (320). Password settings may include the password length or other criteria necessary for generating a pattern based password the corresponds to spatial positions on the matrix. The password criteria is also dependant on the matrix settings, because the pattern may be affected by the number of available rows and columns used by the matrix. If the systems administrator wants to change the password settings, the systems administrator adjusts the password settings (322) and configuration component 300 saves the settings to password criteria file 240 (324). Configuration component 300 determines if the systems administrator wants to change the attempt settings (326). Attempt settings may include the allowed number of attempts that a customer may get a password wrong before being locked out, or a time limit between attempts. If the systems administrator wants to change the attempt settings, the systems administrator adjusts the attempt settings (328) and configuration component 300 saves the settings to password criteria file 240 (330). Configuration component 300 determines if the systems administrator wants to change more settings (332). If the systems administrator wants to change more settings, configuration component 300 goes to step 314, otherwise, configuration component 300 stops (334).

A flowchart of a password generation component 400 is shown in FIG. 4. Password generation component 400 starts whenever a password is assigned to a customer as part of password interface application 230 (410). Password generation component 400 references password criteria file 240 to determine the criteria for setting the pattern-based password (412). Password generation component 400 reads the customer account information associated with the pattern based password (414). Password generation component 400 generates a random, unique pattern based password using the settings saved in password criteria file 240 (416). In an alternative embodiment, the customer can select a pattern based password that meets the settings saved in password criteria file. Customer selected passwords can be selected from a list of pattern based passwords generated by password generation component 400, or the customer may create a pattern and the customer created pattern is verified by password generation component 400. Password generation component 400 saves the pattern-based password and associated account information to password database file 260 (418) and stops (420).

In one embodiment of Pattern Based Password Tool 200, password database file 260 is saved on a networked storage device, such as persistent storage 120. In another embodiment of Pattern Based Password Tool 200, password database file 260 is saved on a machine readable media, such as a magnetic strip or embedded microchip on an ATM card. In yet another embodiment Pattern Based Password Tool 200, a portion of password database file 260 is saved on a networked storage device, and the remaining portion is saved on a machine readable media. In a further embodiment of Pattern Based Password Tool 200, the customer can customize the security of their pattern based password using configuration component 300. For example, the customer can chose a complex pattern or large matrix to create a custom criteria set for their pattern based password. The custom criteria set can be saved to password database file 260.

A flowchart of a matrix generation component 500 is shown in FIG. 5. Matrix generation component 500 starts whenever a customer attempts to access an account on ATM 105 using password interface application 230 (510). Matrix generation component 500 references matrix criteria file 250 (512) and generates a random, unique matrix that meets the settings in matrix criteria file 250 (514). Matrix generation component 500 saves the generated matrix to matrix temporary file 270 (516) and displays the generated matrix on password interface application on ATM 105 (158). After displaying the generated matrix, matrix generation component 500 stops (520).

A flowchart of a password verification component 600 is shown in FIG. 6. Password verification component 600 starts whenever a customer attempts to access an account on ATM 105 using password interface application 230, after the generated matrix is displayed (610). Password verification component 600 references password criteria file 240, password database file 260, and matrix temporary file 270 (612). Password verification component 600 reads a customer's password entry (614). Password verification component 600 compares the customer's password entry to password criteria file 240, password database file 260, and matrix temporary file 270 (616) and determines if the customer's password entry is valid (618). Addition information may be used during the verification, such as a user name or account number entered by the customer or stored on a machine readable media, such as a magnetic strip or embedded microchip on an ATM card. If the customer's password entry is valid, password verification component 600 grants access to the account (620) and stops (626). If the customer's password entry is not valid, password verification component determines if the customer can make more attempts (622). If the customer can make more attempts, password verification component 600 goes to step 614. If the customer can not make more attempts, password verification component 600 denies access to the customer's account (624) and stops (626).

Exemplary matrix 700 is shown in FIG. 7. Matrix 700 has a plurality of row labels 701 and a plurality of column labels 702. At the intersection of each of the plurality of rows and plurality of columns is one of a plurality of elements 703. Each of the plurality of elements 703 is a randomly generated character, in this case, a number within the range specified in matrix criteria file 250. Each of the plurality of elements 703 can be represented by the row number and column number of the element. For example element 752 is at the intersection of row 5 and column 2. The intersection of row 5 and column 2 can be represented by the symbol [5:2]. Element 752 in matrix 700 has a value of 12.

A customer using Pattern Based Password Tool is assigned an exemplary pattern based password “23+” that relates to the special position of elements in matrix 700. Pattern based password “23+” has three parts. The first part the password is the number “2” representing a first element 722 [2:2] in matrix 700. The second part of the password is the number “3” representing a second element 733 [3:3] in matrix 700. The third part of the password is the operator “+” indicating an addition operation should be applied to the first part and the second part. Based on the pattern “23+,” first element 722 [2:2] should be added to first adjacent element 723 [2:3] to the right of first element 722 [2:2], and second element 733 [3:3] should be added to second adjacent element 734 [3:4] to the right of second element 733 [3:3]. Thus, the customer with pattern based password “23+” would enter password entry “3344” based on matrix 700.

FIG. 8 shows how the entry “3344” corresponds with pattern based password “23+” and matrix 700. Sum 851 shows the addition of the elements 722 [2:2] and 723 [2:3]. Sum 851 equals 33, and corresponds with the first part of pattern based password “23+.” Sum 852 shows the addition of the elements 733 [3:3] and 734 [3:4]. Sum 852 equals 44, and corresponds with the second part of pattern based password “23+.” The customer enters the value of sum 851 and the value of sum 852 as the password entry. Thus, password entry “3344” is the corresponding password entry for pattern based password “23+” and matrix 700.

A preferred form of the invention has been shown in the drawings and described above, but variations in the preferred form will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Pattern Based Password Tool 200 can be applied to any computerized user password system, such as an individual computer or electronic device, a private computer network or to a network accessed via the World Wide Web. Pattern Based Password Tool 200 is particularly useful for passwords used in public places such as on electronic door locks or gate locks, electronic point of sale interfaces, and computers available for public use. Other patterns can be created that combine spatial relationships with other mathematical operations, such as multiplication or subtraction, or patterns may require a more complex combination of elements in a matrix. Similarly, patterns can be based on a matrix comprising of characters such as letters or pictures. The preceding description is for illustration purposes only, and the invention should not be construed as limited to the specific form shown and described. The scope of the invention should be limited only by the language of the following claims. 

1. A computer implemented process for providing pattern based password access, the computer implemented process comprising: assigning a password to a user, wherein the password specifies a spatial position of at least one element of a plurality of elements on a matrix; populating the plurality of elements on the matrix with randomly generated characters; reading a password entry; and verifying that the password entry is a correct combination of the characters from the plurality of elements on the matrix that correspond to the spatial position of the at least one element as specified by the password.
 2. The computer implemented process of claim 1 wherein the randomly generated characters are numbers.
 3. The computer implemented process of claim 2 wherein the password requires the user to perform a mathematical operation on the at least one element.
 4. The computer implemented process of claim 3 wherein the password requires the user to add a first element to a second element and enter the sum of the first element and the second element.
 5. The computer implemented process of claim 4 wherein the password further requires the user to add a third element to a fourth element and enter the sum of the third element and the fourth element.
 6. The computer implemented process of claim 1 wherein the randomly generated characters are letters.
 7. The computer implemented process of claim 1 wherein the randomly generated characters are pictures.
 8. An apparatus for providing pattern based password access, the apparatus comprising: a processor; a memory connected to the processor; a password interface program running in the memory; an interactive user interface connected to the processor; a pattern based password program in the memory operable to: assign a password to a user, wherein the password specifies a spatial position of at least one element of a plurality of elements on a matrix; populate the plurality of elements on the matrix with randomly generated characters; read a password entry; and verify that the password entry is a correct combination of the characters from the plurality of elements on the matrix that correspond to the spatial position of the at least one element as specified by the password.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the wherein the randomly generated characters are numbers.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the password requires the user to perform a mathematical operation on the at least one element.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the password requires the user to add a first element to a second element and enter the sum of the first element and the second element.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the password further requires the user to add a third element to a fourth element and enter the sum of the third element and the fourth element.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the wherein the randomly generated characters are letters.
 14. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the wherein the randomly generated characters are pictures.
 15. A computer readable memory containing a plurality of instructions to cause a computer to provide pattern based password access, the plurality of instructions comprising: a first instruction to assign a password to a user, wherein the password specifies a spatial position of at least one element of a plurality of elements on a matrix; a second instruction to populate the plurality of elements on the matrix with randomly generated characters; a third instruction to read a password entry; and a fourth instruction to verify that the password entry is a correct combination of the characters from the plurality of elements on the matrix that correspond to the spatial position of the at least one element as specified by the password.
 16. The computer readable memory of claim 15 wherein the wherein the randomly generated characters are numbers.
 17. The computer readable memory of claim 16 wherein the password requires the user to perform a mathematical operation on the at least one element.
 18. The computer readable memory of claim 17 wherein the password requires the user to add a first element to a second element and enter the sum of the first element and the second element.
 19. The computer readable memory of claim 18 wherein the password further requires the user to add a third element to a fourth element and enter the sum of the third element and the fourth element.
 20. The computer readable memory of claim 15 wherein the wherein the randomly generated characters are letters. 